HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's payrolls shrank and its unemployment rate rose slightly in December, a month after reporting the biggest monthly drop in joblessness in nearly 30 years. Meanwhile, a separate survey found more people working or seeking work.
The state Department of Labor and Industry said December's unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent from 7.8 percent. The national unemployment rate is 7.8 percent.
A survey of Pennsylvania households found that the number of people working or seeking work grew by 17,000, while the number of people working grew by 12,000.
A separate survey of employers showed payrolls dropped by almost 5,000 jobs to about 5.75 million total nonfarm jobs.
Pennsylvania payrolls dropped below 5.6 million after the recession began in December 2007. Payrolls remain below 2008's peak of 5.8 million jobs.
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